Jennifer_1
Forum Replies Created
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Has the series been shown here, or is it going to be shown here? I would like to see it.
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This is a very positive step. The limited time I had in Thailand led me to feel that gender diverse people are more tolerated than accepted. In a Lonely Planet guide there was an article on transgendered people.The trans women who was Iinterviewed described having to use toilets on the top floor of the building she worked in as she was not permitted to use the female or male toilets.
I had no problems while I was there but then I was a tourist spending money and they probably thought I was a bit crazy anyway.
It will be interesting to see if public opinion changes after this, still a very good step in the right direction.
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Hi Amanda,
I have just been reading the original survey for the first time, fantastic. It would be very worthwhile redoing it as a longitudinal study l think. I don’t know if there is anything I can do to help, but if there is please let me know.
Cheers Jenn
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Quote:If I proposed that gender is indescribable, would anyone argue with me and prove me wrong?
Hi Amanda,
This is what I was referring to when I wrote, no argument . It would be lovely to be able to easily convey to others how it feels to me to be a woman. However I cannot think of a simple phrase or sentence that will do the job. All I can say to friends who have asked is, “for the first time I feel normal”.If they want to explore what that means to me I am very happy to talk with them.
So, no argument, rather agreement, it is a difficult question to answer.
Cheers
Jenn
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Hi Amanda,
II am not going to argue with you. I think it is too hard to have one all encompassing definition. If we accept that everyone is somewhere on the gender spectrum, is it then likely that we all have a different view of what is man,woman or something else?
I think you could write a PhD on this topic and still not arrive at a definitive answer.
Cheers
Jenn
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I am not sure if I am adding to the discussion or clouding the water a bit more.
For me the question of, “What does it exactly feel like to feel like a woman” is easy to answer. I feel normal.
For years I felt uncomfortable and detached from my own body, Now I have been on HRT for about 4 years and had SRS about 3 months ago. About two weeks ago I had one of those Aha moments when I realised that I felt ” normal”. In other words, I felt comfortable in my own body.
This,of course, raises the question of what is normal? I have no easy answer for that, I can only say what I feel.
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I have often wondered whenever I read a story like this if it is the other children who are “upset and confused” or is it the parents who are upset and don’t want to admit that they cannot handle this. It is much easier to put the blame on someone else, particularly if you are “protecting” them.
How often do we see people projecting their own values, failings, whatever onto others,such as liars accuse others of lying,cheats accuse others of cheating, etc.. Perhaps it is just my cynical nature but I would like to know what the other children really think.
Cheers Jenn
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Hi Jannine,
Wishing for snow is not weird, it’s perfectly sane. For a quick snow report, there was a dusting of snow at Thredbo yesterday and more was expected overnight and today, this could be a good season.
Cheers Jenn
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I hope I am getting off topic but I have a few thoughts this thread stirred up.
How many actresses look alike these days, how many young girls try to copy a body style or look that has been dictated by the media and marketing people? Is it possible that we are falling into the same trap.
I am currently in Phuket having just completed the last phase of my GRS and yesterday I enquired about seeing a surgeon about FFS while I am here, in particular my nose, it’s big. Shortly after arranging to see the Doctor my Daughter rang me. I said about enquiring about FFS and my Daughter’s response was, “but you wouldn’t be you”.
It made me stop and remember that I am Jennifer, I’m not particularly male or female, I have a great circle of friends who accept me as Jennifer.The surgery I have just been through was to make me feel more comfortable with myself. FFS would be for everyone else.
I have never felt that Jennifer needs to fit anywhere in particular on any spectrum, that she must pass some feminity test, be fully accepted by everyone or have a label that says trans….whatever.
I am Jennifer.
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Thank you Bee,
When I first started researching for the best procedure I thought they were all about the same. You need to know what you are looking for and sort out the details. It has been an interesting process.
Thank you for the guide to Thailand, I am a cold weather person who would rather be skiing in Europe or Canada than going to Thailand, Maybe next year but for now if I am going to be in Thailand I may as well enjoy it.
Thank you again for your help.
Cheers Jenn
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Hi Everyone,
A quick update on how my search for a surgeon went. I had a consultation with Dr. Heartsch in Sydney. He is quite nice and easy to talk to but I decided not to go with him for a number of reasons. He wanted to use a section of my colon because as he said, “Not much to work with. ” Which is true. However I kept thinking about peritonitis, etc and did not like the idea. Also he does about 12 GRS operations a year compared with at least that many a month with Thai surgeon’s. Also there is the cost, about three times more than in Thailand. I have never had any ambition to go to Thailand but it seems to be the best option.
As a result I am going with Dr. Sanguan Kunaporn in Phuket. I feel confident with what he has to offer. Also I researched his results from a different approach. Instead of looking for positive feedback, of which there is quite a bit, I looked for negative comments on blog sites. I could not find any. Not perfect but the best I could do. He was also a guest speaker at a Conference in Cairns about a year ago, I have talked with a number of people who attended and they were all very positive about him.
So at the end of next month I am off to Phuket for GRS with Dr. Sanguan.
One thing I found that was interesting is one blog where the author suggested that you need to be careful about what you ask for. She had GRS, BA and FFS. Her suggestion is to be gentle with your body, too much is not a good idea.
So wish me luck.
Cheers Jenn
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Fear of rejection was the biggest concern for me. I suppose ridicule is also in there as well. For this reason I found that for years I was carrying this “big secret” around. My greatest fear was that others would find out. It was the secret that dominated so many aspects of my life. When I finally let others know my secret it suddenly had no power over me.
It is such a strain to live in fear of someone finding out that thing you have been hiding for years. The main thing I have found is that when I have let others know about my journey they have been supportive most of the time, a few have been puzzled and have problems understanding but the only outright rejection has been from my son, which has hurt. Even so, I could not continue on with the pressure of the “big secret” hanging over me. Getting rid of the secret has been the most liberating thing I have ever done.
It gets down to your own decision, can you live with the secret or not.
Cheers Jenn
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Hi Judy,
I see no problem with purchasing HRT medications from overseas PROVIDED you are getting medical supervision. You have no way of checking whether the dosage is too high or too low, what effect it is having or what damage it is causing.
I self medicated for 18 months before I found the courage to approach a doctor. The oestrogen dose was so low it had virtually no effect and the AA dose was so high it was causing serious damage to my kidneys. My problems were; not knowing the full effects of the various medications even though I thought I had researched to topic thoroughly, fear of talking about “my problem” with Doctors and not being able to monitor the effects on my body, (blood tests, etc..)
Once I overcame my fear of letting somebody know about my “secret” and obtained medical help things went well. If you are transitioning you need medical advice and support.
I wish you well
Jenn
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I always thought that the Instruction Manual was there as a last resort,”” If all else fails – read the directions.”
Cheers
Jennifer
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Hi Amanda,
It looks as though there was something for everyone. Fantastic, , thank you for the wonderful weekend.
Cheers
Jenn
